Artificial cigar device

ABSTRACT

An Artificial Cigar Device designed and configured to have the appearance and feel of an actual cigar, but actually is artificial, contains no chemicals, and acts as a pacifier for individuals wishing to quit smoking. The Artificial Cigar Device is structured and configured to depict an actual cigar and is fabricated from a soft, chewable, washable and durable material such as medical grade liquid silicone rubber comprised of an approximate range of forty-sixty durometer with a pleasant scent. Said scent ingredients such as vanilla or the like of said non-toxic semi-rigid polymeric material for the artificial cigar shaft member are also absorbed into said absorbent material. The Artificial Cigar Device is also comprised of a cylindrical band affixed around the front end of said shaft member thereby simulating the appearance of an actual cigar wrap. In addition, each Artificial Cigar Device will be packaged in it&#39;s own reusable container for storage. The Artificial Cigar Device may be also chewed and washed with warm soapy water and rinsed thoroughly prior to reuse and is dishwasher safe.

[0001] This is a File Wrapper Continuation of application Ser. No.09/472,457 filed on Dec. 27, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to an artificial cigardevice and more particularly to an artificial cigar device designed andconfigured to have the appearance and feel of an actual cigar, butactually is artificial, contains no chemicals, and acts as a pacifierfor individuals wishing to quit smoking.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] It has long been recognized that smoking is an addicting habitwhich has proven to be dangerous to one's health. Studies haveconsistently shown that smoking not only adversely affects theindividual, but can also be potentially dangerous to those around theparticular smoker. For various health reasons addicted smokers havesought methods to successfully quit “The Habit”.

[0006] About forty-seven million Americans now smoke cigarettes orcigars, and it is estimated that roughly fifty percent of these smokerswill eventually die from smoking related causes at a rate of nearly500,000 a year. Studies have indicated that threequarters of thesesmokers want to quit, but only an estimated five percent are able toquit on their own. Cigars are as deadly as cigarettes to the smoker.Regular cigar smoking has been well documented to cause an increasedrisk of mouth, throat and lung cancer.

[0007] Many apparatus exist to aid the smoker in his quests for quittingthe smoking habit. One particular device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,666,979 issued to Chase. In this patent there is disclosed anelongated tube, having a substantially same shape as a cigarette, andincluding one or more lumens. At least one lumen contains a mixture toreduce the desire for tobacco, and hence includes a mixture of nicotine,or the like, an edible carrier substance, and a flavoring substance.This device is designed and configured to allow the smoker to chew onthe product. The lumen is an edible substance, yet difficult to chew toultimately discourage the smoker from smoking a cigarette. This devicestill allows for the user to be exposed to some amount of nicotine,which has been proven to be addictive and can be dangerous to hishealth.

[0008] Yet another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,544 issuedto Mascarelli et al. In this patent there is disclosed a cigarettesubstance having an edible end and containing a small amount of nicotineto satisfy the smoker. This device uses the same approach as Chase andtherefore, does not address the user's true desire to quit the habit,but still allows the individual to be exposed to nicotine, a substanceknown for being potentially hamful and addictive.

[0009] As evidenced by the above patents, various apparatuses exist toaid the user in quitting the smoking habit. None of these efforts,however, provide the benefits intended with the present invention.Additionally, prior techniques do not suggest the present inventivecombination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein.

[0010] Accordingly, it is seen that there exists a need to provide for aproduct which will aid in the process of terminating the process ofsmoking. Such a device should not contain any hazardous substances.

[0011] As will be seen, the present invention achieves its intendedpurposes, objectives and advantages, by accomplishing the needs asidentified above, through a new, useful and unobvious combination ofcomponent elements, which is simple to use, with the utilization of aminimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost tomanufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily availablematerials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention provides for an artificial cigar devicedesigned and configured to simulate an actual cigar. The presentinvention is designed to act as a pacifier for individuals wishing toquit smoking, without providing the chemicals or byproducts generallyassociated with a conventional cigar.

[0013] The artificial cigar of the present invention is an elongatedshaft having a front end and a rear end. The exterior of the shaft isdesigned, structured and configured to depict an actual cigar. Hence,the artificial cigar of the present invention will be substantially thesame shape, size and color of conventional cigars.

[0014] To avoid any dangerous chemicals, the artificial cigar isfabricated from a soft, washable and durable material such as medicalgrade liquid silicone rubber with a pleasant vanilla scent. This willprovide for the final product to act as a pacifier for the user, ratherthan providing for a chemical stimulation.

[0015] Hence, the present invention renders an artificial cigar, whichwill provide the manual as well as the oral stimulation to the user.This manual stimulation will enable the individual to use the artificialcigar as if it were an actual cigar. Since this device is fabricatedfrom medical grade liquid silicone rubber, it is not harmful to the userand will not cause irritation nor be damaging to one's health.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, this device can be depicted as acigar, so as to allow for one end to be chewed. Since, the final productis made from a resilient material, it will not be damaged, hence,providing a final product which is reusable.

[0017] Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to providefor an artificial cigar which will assist an individual trying to quitsmoking and that is free from nicotine or any derivative thereof, so asto provide for a final product which is free from any type of addictingor hazardous substance.

[0018] Another object of the present invention, to be specificallyenumerated herein, is to provide an artificial cigar in accordance withthe preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms ofmanufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to providea device that would be economically feasible, long lasting andrelatively trouble free in operation.

[0019] Although there have been many inventions related to artificialcigars, none of these inventions have been designed to be free fromnicotine or the like, and none will successfully deter an individualfrom smoking, and none are reliable enough to become commonly used, as asmoking alternative. The present invention meets the requirements of asimplified design, compact size, low initial cost, low operating cost,durable and washable, and requires only a minimal amount of training tosuccessfully employ the invention.

[0020] The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects ofthe invention. These objects should be construed to be merelyillustrative of some of the more prominent features and application ofthe intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained byapplying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying theinvention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, a fullerunderstanding of the invention may be had by referring to the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of theinvention as defined by the claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial cigar of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The instant invention is an artificial cigar designed andconfigured to have the appearance and feel of an actual cigar, butcontains no chemicals and is designed to act as a pacifier for smokerswho wish to quit the habit.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial cigar of the presentinvention showing the inedible, elongated shaft 10 having a front end 11and a rear end 12. The exterior of the shaft 10 is designed, structuredand configured to depict an actual cigar. Thus, the cigar of the presentinvention will be substantially the same shape and size as that ofconventional cigars.

[0024] The artificial cigar of the present invention showing theinedible, elongated shaft 10 is fabricated from a soft, washable anddurable, high tear, transparent medical grade liquid silicone rubbermaterial comprised of an approximate range of forty-sixty durometer anda vanilla or coconut, strawberry, chocolate, peach, cherry, raspberry,grape and mint scent. Said scent ingredients of said non-toxicsemi-rigid polymeric material for the shaft member are also absorbedinto said absorbent material.

[0025] The artificial cigar of the present invention is also comprisedof a cylindrical band affixed around the front end of said shaft memberthereby simulating the appearance of an actual cigar wrap. In addition,each artificial cigar of the present invention will be packaged in it'sown reusable container for storage when not in use. The instantinvention may also be washed with warm soapy water and rinsed thoroughlyprior to reuse and is dishwasher safe.

[0026] A method of fabricating the present invention of a range offorty-sixty durometer, transparent, high tear liquid silicone rubbercomprising the following steps of vulcanized by mixing part A with partB in a ratio of 1:1 with the application of heat. Cure initiation isexhibited at 118° C.

[0027] The artificial cigar of the present invention features a colorwhich mimics the color of an actual cigar and also features said scentsas discussed above and is therefore comprised of: Titanium Dioxide 10mg/M3 to 15 mg/M3, Carbon Black 3.5 mg/M3 to 3.5 mg/M3, Red Iron Dioxide5 mg/M3 to 5 mg/M3, Yellow Iron Dioxide 10 mg/M3 to 15 mg/M3, Vanillin97+%, and Divinyl Silicone Fluid.

[0028] The foregoing description and drawings illustrate a number ofpreferred embodiments of this invention. As is apparent to one skilledin the art, various changes may be made in the configurations, sizes andarrangements of the components illustrated herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the specificillustrations herein above are intended only as illustrative of aninventor's concept, and not intended as delineating its scope.

I claim:
 1. A simulated cigar anti-smoking device for non-burning usewhich does not depend on the use of oxygen or the use of mouth-operatedvalve assembly for dispensing oxygen, or the use of tobacco flavor andis not a toy nor does it have the open end surface of a toy cigar. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein the exterior of said shaft member isdesigned, structured and configured to have the same size, shape, colorand feel of a cigar but contains no chemicals so as to simulate theappearance of a conventional cigar.
 3. The simulated cigar anti-smokingdevice of claim 1, wherein said device excludes a closure at the frontend of said device to facilitate the charging of a container withpowdered material and excludes the use of powdered material.
 4. Thesimulated cigar anti-smoking device of claim 1, wherein said non-toxicsemi-ridgid polymeric material for the shaft member is selected from thegroup consisting essentially of: a soft, washable and durable medicalgrade liquid silicone rubber comprised of an approximate range offorty-sixty durometer, transparent, high tear, liquid silicon rubber. 5.The simulated cigar anti-smoking device of claim 1, wherein said scentingredients of said non-toxic semi-rigid polymeric material for theshaft member are also absorbent material.
 6. The group consisting ofclaim 3, wherein said scent ingredients are selected from the groupconsisting of; vanilla, or coconut, strawberry, chocolate, peach,cherry, raspberry, grape and mint scent.
 7. The device of claim 5,further comprising, A cylindrical band affixed around the front end ofsaid shaft member, said band being adapted to simulate the appearance ofa cigar wrap.
 8. The device of claim 5, further comprising; A feature ofsaid shaft member which is chewable and washable as well as dish washersafe.
 9. A simulated cigar container device comprising an individualpackage with a sealed plug type tube featuring a printed label on saidcontainer.
 10. A method of fabricating forty-sixty durometer,transparent high tear liquid silicone rubber comprising the steps of;Vulcanized by mixing part A with part B in a ratio of 1:1 with theapplication of heat. Cure initiation is exhibited at 118° C.
 11. Themethod as in claim 9 wherein said scent and said coloring ingredients ofsaid nontoxic semiridgid liquid silicone rubber for the shaft member arealso absorbed into said absorbent liquid silicone rubber consistingessentially of Titanium Dioxide comprising about 10 mg/M3 to 15 mg/M3;and Carbon Black 3.5 mg/M3; Red Iron Oxide 5 mg/M3; Yellow Iron Oxide 10mg/M3 to 15 mg/M3; Vanilla 97+% Divinyl Silicone Fluid.